Nani has become Hawaii’s first ‘elite’ trampolinist (a small select group of athletes who only compete among themselves for spots on our national teams to represent the US internationally … similar to professional status in other sports).
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2004 July 06 Athlete Profile on Nani (Star Advertiser)
2003 October 28 Media Release World Age Group Games for Trampoline, Hannover GERMANY
Nani Vercruyssen returned from Germany today a world ranked athlete and national celebrity in the new Olympic sport of trampoline. Nani is the Hawaii State Champion, the Regional (15 Western States) Champion, US National Champion and is now ranked 6th in the world on trampoline (5th on double mini-trampoline).
Nani is possibly the fastest improving trampolinist in America (e.g., Level 6 to elite, beginner to national champion, competitor in two international elite competitions, and member of two US national teams all in 18 months). She trains over 30 hours per week but, unlike most other US elite athletes who are home schooled, still manages to remain in a public school and to keep up with her academics and social activities. She now trains for competitions that are exclusively for elites and that ranks the elites for selection onto national teams for international events.
In July 2003 Nani became a Level 10 national champion and was invited to move to elites. In August she competed with other elites to earn a spot on the American team competing in Germany 16-26 October at the World Age Group Games (she was 1st ranked on double mini-trampoline and 4th ranked on trampoline). Last weekend Nani competed against national champions from over 36 countries (over 1000 competitors in four age groups: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17+). She was among few from the US to make the finals (top 6), against very strong teams Russia, China, Japan, etc. At this competition she performed more flips and twists in her 10-bounce routine than anyone in her age group and ended up 6th overall on trampoline and 5th overall on the double mini-trampoline. This is the biannual event that determines world rank among athletes. The ceremonies were similar to those in the Olympic Games. For more information on the competition go to the USAG Trampoline-Tumbling home page: www.usa-gymnastics.org/tt/.
After a few days rest she will begin preparing for the five national elite competitions on the mainland culminating with the Indo-Pacific Championships (all countries on the shores of the Indian and Pacific Oceans) in July in Canada.
Nani trains at Hawaii Academy with three other national champions and five other Level 10s. If you are interested in helping sponsor her climb up the elite rankings and in promoting such opportunities for athletes in Hawaii, please contact Ms Susan Jaworoski, Development Department Chair, 537.5481.
11 October 2003 Media Release World Age Group Games for Trampoline, Hannover GERMANY
The Competition. The World Trampoline Championships takes place 16-19 October in Hanover Germany immediately followed by the World Age Group Games on 21-24 October. More than 40 countries are participating, sending their senior athletes (>16 yrs) to the former event (over 400 competing), in preparation for the Olympic Games (Athens in August 2004), and all other top athletes to the latter event. The World Age Group Games has over 1000 competing--each country’s best athletes in four age groups: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17+ years. There are four events: trampoline, tumbling, double mini-trampoline, and synchronized trampoline.
Hawaii Delegation. Only two athletes from the West Coast and Pacific US are attending: Kaci Barry from San Diego (13-14yr age group) and Nani Vercruyssen from Honolulu (11-12 age group). Kaci will be accompanied by parents and Coach Doug Boger. Nani will be accompanied by Dr Max Vercruyssen (coach and father) and Dr Donna Mah (physician and mother). Each country is allowed a maximum of 80 athletes (most only take those with the best chance of medaling) out of 128 spots (4 age groups X 4 events X 2 sexes). Nani will be competing on Double Mini-Trampoline, on which she is ranked 1st in the US, and Trampoline, on which she is ranked 4th in the US.
For more information: www.trampoline-world-championships-2003.com/index.html
www.usa-gymnastics.org/tt/2003/wgames/index.html
www.usa-gymnastics.org/tt/2003/wgames/wag/wag-teamnamed.html
Germany Press Contact: Mr Michael Bauer, michael.bauer@NTB-infoline.de, +49.511.980.9740
Quotes. When asked why Hawaii trampolinists have done so well in national and international competitions, especially when coming from one of the youngest training programs in the country (18 months old), Dr Max Vercruyssen (Hawaii Academy Director) is quick to give three reasons: “(1) nearly all of our trampolinists were first artistic gymnasts with training from outstanding coaches at the gym clubs on Oahu (including Hawaiian Island Twisters, Kokokahi Gymnastics Team, What’s Up Gymnastics, and Rainbow Gymnastics Academy); (2) Hawaii Academy has really talented trampoline coaches (Wendy Rosen, Richard Hagen, Elizabeth Barrett, Rod Onigama, and Lisa Padello) with some of the most sophisticated training equipment (including ceiling mounted bungees and spotting belts) and a great parent booster organization; and (3) aspiring athletes in Hawaii have a high achievement need, are willing to make the necessary sacrifices for their passion and have support systems that encourage their training.”
BACKGROUND
Trampoline is Now an Olympic Sport. In the 1960s and 70s America was a world power in trampoline, much because trampolines were everywhere (schools, root beer stands, amusement parks, YMCAs, trampoline schools, etc.). Trampoline was its own sport with national and international competitions. It was also an event in high school and college gymnastics in many states throughout the country. Then the insurance industry restricted its use in schools and made it prohibitively expensive to have in private business. Almost overnight trampoline equipment vanished and the sport nearly disappeared. In the late 1990s the insurance limitations were removed and trampolines returned to the private gymnastics schools and in back yards all over America. In the 2000 Olympic Games, trampoline became an Olympic sport and now the US is working very hard to return to international ranking. Under the national governing body of ‘USA Gymnastics’, trampoline-tumbling is one of the fastest growing of all sports. (Tumbling is scheduled as an exhibition sport in 2004 Olympic Games.) In Hawaii, there are trampolines or tumble-traks in most of the private gymnastics schools, at Kamehameha High School, and McCulley Recreation Center. Hawaii Academy, What’s Up Gymnastics, and McCulley Recreation Center were the first in recent years to send competitors to the state championships. May 10th, 42 athletes competed in the third state meet—the youngest was five and the oldest was 65 (the first grandmother to medal on trampoline). In the US, there are 10 Junior Olympic levels and two elite levels (junior=11-16yrs and senior=17+yrs) for males and females.
About Our School. Hawaii Academy is a private school for the advancement of lifetime fitness, gymnastics, human sciences, and technology for students of all ages and abilities. We have ongoing recreation and competitive physical activities, research, and instruction. Our Athletics Department features four main sports that compete at the national and international level: Trampoline-Tumbling, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, and Physical Fitness. We are in the ‘edu-tainment’ business. We provide educational, entertainment, and wellness experiences for the entire family (student ages are 1-96 yrs). We have numerous three- and four-generation families, all enjoying the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle. Several of our programs are very unique. For instance, we have grand- and great-grand-parents training to maintain functional abilities and to set records for exceptional demonstrations of fitness (some even compete in our trampoline state championships). We have experienced many successes with balance recovery and fall training in the elderly.
Children, adults, and seniors are encouraged to try trampoline as a recreational activity or competitive sport … phone 537.5481 for more information and to sign up for a free lesson.